Bronze is not just for 3rd Place

A new Kickstarter campaign is starting from Zelos, offering a 100M water resistant diver with a couple of unique twists (project page). Common to the line is an internally rotating bezel, which I am seeing on a few higher end dive watches, but not in this price and feature range yet. What is most unique in a relatively inexpensive watch like this is the choice of a bronze case as an alternative to the 316 stainless that is also offered. Fitting for the materials of choice, the watch is named the Helmsman.

Common to the watches are the case dimensions, 43mm across, the Miyota 9015 movement, the sapphire crystal and exhibition caseback, and superlume on the hands, chapter markings and interior bezel. With either choice of case material, there are four options for the dial, black, brown, grey and green. The faces themselves add a lot of depth to the watch with the raised numbers and chapter markings and the slightly recessed stripped pattern in the center. A date window is at 3:00, with the bezel adjustment at 2:00 and the crown at 4:00.

If the 8 color/case combinations are not enough, there are two more options to consider: the bronze watch can be ordered with a black DLC applied to the external bezel, which is then mated to a black or brown dial, for 10 total options. Each variation is limited to 50 pieces, for a total run of 500 watches. The earlybird pledges are all gone, the watch pledges started at $420 Canadian (about $380 USD) for the steel and $490 Canadian ($440 USD) for the bronze and top out at $590 Canadian for the bronze/DLC version. All pledges include worldwide shipping. As a final incentive (at least until stretch goals are announced), the watch is shipped with three straps (brown and black leather and NATO) and a leather watch roll.

Watch Overview

Brand & Model: Zelos Helmsman

Price: $380 – 590 CAD

Who we think it might be for: Someone looking for a diver with a warmer, more personal feel.

Would I buy or recommend it just on the photos?: Yes.

If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Ability to adjust the bezel underwater.